System and method for pipe stabilization

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a flange device, system, and method configured to securing and stabilizing a water supply pipe. The system includes a security wall having an inner surface, an outer surface and a water supply pipe opening; a water supply pipe traversing through the security wall water supply pipe opening, the water supply pipe having a proximal portion projecting away from the security wall inner surface and a distal portion projecting away from the security wall outer surface; a security flange concentrically disposed around the distal portion of the water supply pipe and abutting against the security wall outer surface; and a system coupling mechanism configured to couple the security flange through the water supply pipe opening to the water supply pipe, the coupling mechanism further configured to hold the security flange in compression against the security wall outer surface and hold the water supply pipe in tension.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to securing and stabilizingwater supply pipes. More particularly, the present invention relates toa device, system, and method configured to a secure a water supply pipefor a shower or faucet through the decorative or utility wall from whichthe water supply pipe protrudes.

A common problem in homes and commercial buildings alike is that thewater supply pipes leading to the shower, sink, or additional faucet maynot be properly secured upon installation, or naturally loosen overtime. If theses pipes are not properly secured, the pipes may begin tovibrate and knock against each other or other surfaces behind the wall.Additional sources of instability and shaking or vibrating in watersupply pipes may include faucet valves wearing out over time as well aswater pressure fluctuations or the presence of air in the pipes. Overtime, the constant movement adds stresses to the pipes causingadditional fittings to come loose and causing the water supply pipes toleak. If the pipe leaks behind the wall, the leak may cause substantialdamage to the drywall, supporting structures, or may even result inmold.

Fixing an insecure pipe or leak results in costly repairs that require aplumber to rip out the existing drywall, decorative tile, or cabinetryto access and patch, replace, or re-secure the existing water supplypipe and then may require a carpenter or mason to replace drywall orstone.

Pipes protruding from walls into living spaces, such as water supplypipes for consumer sinks or showers typically have decorative flangesconcentrically disposed around the water supply pipe that abut againstthe protrusion wall in order to hide unsightly holes in the drywallwhere the supply pipe protrudes from. These decorative flanges arecaulked to the protrusion wall, securing the flange to the wall. Thecaulk acts to seal any gaps between flange and the wall and hold theflange in place. The use of the flange in the prior art is decorative tocover holes and functional to seal around the holes to prevent waterfrom faucet or shower head from reentering the wall, but the flange isnot configured to secure the pipe, or hold the pipe in tension.

The present invention address the issue of providing a water supply pipeadditional security and stabilization as a preventative and protectivemeasure to the shaking and vibrating that may occur due to the reasonsdescribed above by providing a security flange configured to hold thewater supply pipe in tension to reduce movement and damper vibration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The methods, systems, and devices are set forth in part in thedescription which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or can be learned by practice of the methods, devices, andsystems. The advantages of the methods, devices, and systems will berealized and attained by means of the elements and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understoodthat both the foregoing general description and the following detaileddescription are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictiveof the methods, devices, and systems, as claimed.

In a first embodiment of the system, the system comprises a securitywall having an inner surface, an outer surface and a water supply pipeopening; a water supply pipe traversing through the security wall watersupply pipe opening, the water supply pipe having a proximal portionprojecting away from the security wall inner surface and a distalportion projecting away from the security wall outer surface; a securityflange concentrically disposed around the distal portion of the watersupply pipe and abutting against the security wall outer surface; and acoupling mechanism configured to couple the security flange through thewater supply pipe opening to the water supply pipe, the couplingmechanism further configured to hold the water supply the securityflange in compression against the security wall outer surface and holdthe water supply pipe in tension.

In one embodiment the security flange may comprise an annular shapehaving a security flange water supply pipe opening and a couplingmechanism opening. The security flange may comprise a flat bottomsurface configured to abut against a water supply pipe wall and a topsurface. In some embodiments, the top surface may also be flat, while inother embodiments the top surface may be decorative or stylized. Thesecurity flange may comprise common plumbing materials such as metal orplastic.

In some embodiments, the security flange may further comprise acompressible seal disposed along the bottom surface of the securityflange. The compressible seal is configured to provide a water tightseal between the security flange and the security wall.

In some embodiments, caulk or adhesive may be applied around theperimeter of the security flange or the security flange water supplypipe opening to further reduce flange movement and to provide additionalwater sealing.

In some embodiments the coupling mechanism may comprise a cable tiehaving a ratchet member at a proximal end and an elongated portion withan integrated gear rack spanning the longitudinal axis of the cable tie.In these embodiments, the cable tie is configured to be concentricallydisposed around the distal end of the water supply pipe wherein theelongated portion is inserted into the ratchet member forming a looparound the water supply pipe. The cable tie is then positioned throughthe security wall water supply pipe hole and the cable tie is fullyratcheted and tightened around the proximal end of the water supply pipeleaving the elongated member protruding through the security wall watersupply pipe opening. The security flange is then disposed over the watersupply pipe at the distal end of the water supply pipe, and theelongated member is fully ratcheted and tightened through the securityflange coupling mechanism holding the water supply pipe in tension andholding the security flange compressed against the outer surface of thesecurity wall.

In some embodiments the coupling mechanism may comprise a hose clamphaving a ratchet member or screw tightening member at a proximal end andan elongated portion with integrated slots spanning the longitudinalaxis of the hose clamp. In these embodiments, the hose clamp isconfigured to be concentrically disposed around the distal end of thewater supply pipe wherein the elongated portion is inserted into theratchet member forming a loop around the water supply pipe. The hoseclamp is then positioned through the security wall water supply pipehole and the hose clamp is fully ratcheted and tightened around theproximal end of the water supply pipe leaving the elongated memberprotruding through the security wall water supply pipe opening. Thesecurity flange is then disposed over the water supply pipe at thedistal end of the water supply pipe, and the elongated member is fullyratcheted and tightened through the security flange coupling mechanismholding the water supply pipe in tension and holding the security flangecompressed against the outer surface of the security wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying figures, like elements are identified by likereference numerals among the several preferred embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1 represents a first embodiment of the system.

FIG. 2 represents an enlarged system assembly.

FIG. 3 represents a front view of the security flange.

FIG. 4 represents a side view of the security flange.

FIGS. 5A and 5B represent an embodiment of the coupling mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description ofexemplary embodiments, read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrativeof the invention rather than limiting, the scope of the invention beingdefined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

FIG. 1 show elements of a first embodiment of the system 10. As show inFIG. 1 the system comprises a security wall 100, a water supply pipe200, a security flange 300, and a coupling mechanism 400. The securitywall 100 comprises a security wall inner surface 102, a security wallouter surface 104, and a security wall water supply pipe opening 106.The security wall 100, in some embodiments may comprise dry-wall (withor without a decorative veneer or tile) mounted and hung to standardframing (not-shown) or other common building materials including but notlimited to brick or concrete. The security wall 104 like most buildingsis configured to provide an aesthetic barrier between the buildingframing, insulation, conduits, and pipes and the users of the roomitself.

The water supply pipe 200 comprises a water supply pipe proximal portion202 and a water supply pipe distal portion 204. As shown in FIG. 1, thewater supply pipe proximal portion 202 is concealed behind the securitywall inner surface 102, while the water supply pipe distal portion 204,protrudes through the security wall water supply pipe opening 106. Insome embodiments the water supply pipe 200 is configured to deliverwater to a shower while in other embodiments the water supply pipe 200is configured to deliver water to a bath or sink. The water supply pipe200 may comprise any standard material used in the plumbing industryincluding but not limited to copper, chromed copper, galvanized iron,Chlorinated Poly-Vinyl Chloride (CPVC), or Cross-linked Polyethylene(PEX).

As shown in FIG. 1 and additionally detailed in FIGS. 2-4, the systemadditionally comprises a security flange 300. The security flange 300primarily comprises an annular body member having a security flangewater supply pipe opening 302, a top security flange surface 304, asecurity flange bottom surface 306, and a security flange couplingmechanism 308 embedded, molded, machined, or formed into the securityflange top surface 304 or security flange bottom surface 306. Thesecurity flange 300 may be comprised of a metal, plastic, or compositethereof. The security flange 300 is disposed over water supply pipedistal portion 204 wherein the water supply pipe distal portion 204passes through the security flange water supply pipe opening 302, andthe security flange bottom surface 306 is positioned against thesecurity wall outer surface 104. The security flange 300 is furthercoupled to the water supply pipe proximal portion 202 through thesecurity flange coupling mechanism 308 and the system coupling mechanism400. In some embodiments, the security flange 300 may further comprise acompressible seal (not shown) disposed along the bottom surface 306 ofthe security flange 300. The compressible seal is configured to providea water tight seal between the security flange 300 and the security wall104.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B the system coupling mechanism 400 isconfigured to couple the water supply pipe proximal portion 202 to thesecurity flange 300 while holding the water supply pipe 200 in tensionand compressing the security flange 300 against the security wall outersurface 104. In some embodiments the system coupling mechanism 400 maycomprise a plastic or metal cable tie which a common fastener known byone of skill in the art. The system coupling mechanism 400 (or cabletie), comprises a ratcheting member 402 at a system coupling mechanismproximal end 401 and a system coupling mechanism elongated portion 404having an integrated gear rack 406 spanning a longitudinal axis of thesystem coupling mechanism 400. In these embodiments, the security flangecoupling mechanism 308 comprises a ratcheting mechanism or ratchetingreceptacle 310 that is the same or similar to the ratcheting member 402of the system coupling mechanism 400.

In operation, a method for securing the water supply pipe 200 to thesecurity flange 300 through the security wall 100 may include the stepsof providing a plumbing system 5 comprising a security wall 100 having asecurity wall inner surface 102, a security wall outer surface 104, anda water supply pipe opening 106, the plumbing system further comprisinga water supply pipe 200 having a water supply pipe proximal portion 202disposed behind the security wall inner surface 102, and a water supplydistal portion 204 disposed through the security wall water supply pipeopening 106, and projecting from the security wall outer surface 104;providing a security flange 300 comprising a an annular body memberhaving a security flange water supply pipe opening 302, a securityflange bottom surface 306, a top security flange surface 304, and asecurity flange coupling mechanism 308 embedded into the security flangetop surface 304 or security flange bottom surface 306; providing acoupling mechanism comprising a ratcheting member 402 at a systemcoupling mechanism proximal end 401 and a system coupling mechanismelongated portion 404 having an integrated gear rack 406 spanning alongitudinal axis of the system coupling mechanism 400; positioning thesystem coupling mechanism elongated portion 404 around the water supplypipe distal portion 204 and inserting the system coupling mechanismelongated portion 404 into the ratcheting member 402 forming a partiallyratcheted closed loop 408; translating the partially ratcheted closedloop 408 along the water supply pipe 200 through the security wall watersupply pipe opening 106 to the water supply pipe proximal portion 202;ratcheting the partially ratcheted closed loop 408 until the partiallyratcheted closed loop 408 has a an inner circumference approximatelyequal to an outer circumference of the water supply pipe 200; feedingthe system coupling mechanism elongated portion 404 back through thesecurity wall water supply pipe opening 106; disposing the securityflange 300 over the water supply pipe 200 and feeding the systemcoupling mechanism elongated portion 404 through the security flangecoupling mechanism 308 until the security flange bottom surface 306 isflush with the security wall outer surface 104 and held in compressionagainst the security wall 200.

One of skill in the art would recognize that the steps may be completedout of the above stated order to complete the task of securing thesecurity flange 300 to the water supply pipe 200. For example in oneembodiment, the step of securing the system coupling mechanism 400 tothe water supply pipe proximal portion 202 may be completed before thesecurity wall 100 is even erected. Another non-limiting example mayinclude disposing the security flange 300 over the water supply pipe 200before the step of placing the system coupling mechanism 400.

In some embodiments, caulk or adhesive may be applied around theperimeter of the security flange 300 or the security flange water supplypipe opening 302 to further reduce flange movement and to provideadditional water sealing.

In some embodiments the system coupling mechanism 400 may comprise ahose clamp having a ratchet member or screw tightening member at aproximal end and an elongated portion with integrated slots spanning thelongitudinal axis of the hose clamp. While in other embodiments, thesystem coupling mechanism 400 may comprise a belt having a clasping orclamping member (not shown). In these embodiments, the clasping membercould secure the belt/elongated member at various intervals, or theclamping member could clamp down anywhere on the belt. In embodimentsusing the belt style coupling member, the security flange couplingmechanism may be a clasp or clamp as well.

While the invention has been described in connection with variousembodiments, it will be understood that the invention is capable offurther modifications. This application is intended to cover anyvariations, uses or adaptations of the invention following, in general,the principles of the invention, and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as, within the known and customary practice withinthe art to which the invention pertains.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for securing a water supply pipecomprising: a security wall having an inner surface, an outer surfaceand a water supply pipe opening; the water supply pipe traversingthrough the security wall water supply pipe opening, the water supplypipe having a proximal portion projecting away from the security wallinner surface and a distal portion projecting away from the securitywall outer surface; a security flange concentrically disposed around thedistal portion of the water supply pipe and abutting against thesecurity wall outer surface, the security flange comprising a securityflange water supply pipe opening, a security flange bottom surface, atop security flange surface, and a security flange coupling mechanismhaving a ratcheting receptacle embedded into the security flange topsurface or security flange bottom surface; a system coupling mechanismconfigured to couple the security flange through the water supply pipeopening to the water supply pipe, the coupling mechanism furtherconfigured to hold the security flange in compression against thesecurity wall outer surface and hold the water supply pipe in tension,the system coupling mechanism comprising a system coupling mechanismproximal end having a ratcheting member and a system coupling mechanismelongated portion having an integrated gear rack spanning the systemcoupling mechanism elongated portion; and wherein the system couplingmechanism is secured around the water supply pipe proximal portion byinserting the system coupling mechanism elongated portion through theratcheting member and the system coupling mechanism is secured to thesecurity flange by inserting the elongated portion through theratcheting receptacle.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the securityflange comprises an annular body member.
 3. The system of claim 1further comprising: caulk or adhesive along a perimeter of the securityflange bottom surface and the security wall outer surface; or caulk oradhesive along the security flange water supply pipe opening and watersupply pipe; or a compressible seal disposed on the security flangebottom surface.
 4. A method for securing the water supply pipecomprising the steps of: providing a plumbing system comprising asecurity wall having a security wall inner surface, a security wallouter surface, and a water supply pipe opening, the plumbing systemfurther comprising the water supply pipe having a water supply pipeproximal portion disposed behind the security wall inner surface, and awater supply distal portion disposed through the security wall watersupply pipe opening, and projecting from the security wall outersurface; providing a security flange comprising an annular body memberhaving a security flange water supply pipe opening, a flat securityflange bottom surface, a top security flange surface, and a securityflange coupling mechanism embedded into the security flange top surfaceor security flange bottom surface; providing a system coupling mechanismwherein the system coupling mechanism comprises a ratcheting member at asystem coupling mechanism proximal end and a system coupling mechanismelongated portion having an integrated gear rack spanning a longitudinalaxis of the system coupling mechanism or wherein the system couplingmechanism comprises a clasp or clamp member at a system couplingmechanism proximal end and a system coupling mechanism elongatedportion; positioning and securing the system coupling mechanism on thewater supply piped proximal portion and feeding the system couplingmechanism through the security wall water supply pipe opening such thatat least a portion of the system coupling mechanism is projecting fromthe security wall outer surface by: positioning the system couplingmechanism elongated portion around the water supply pipe distal portionand inserting the system coupling mechanism elongated portion into theratcheting member forming a partially ratcheted closed loop, translatingthe partially ratcheted closed loop along the water supply pipe throughthe security wall water supply pipe opening to the water supply pipeproximal portion, ratcheting the partially ratcheted closed loop untilthe partially ratcheted closed loop has an inner circumferenceapproximately equal to an outer circumference of the water supply pipe,and feeding the system coupling mechanism elongated portion back throughthe security wall water supply pipe opening; or positioning the systemcoupling mechanism elongated portion around the water supply pipe distalportion and inserting the system coupling mechanism elongated portioninto the clasp or clamp member forming a partially clasped or clampedclosed loop, translating the partially clasped or clamped closed loopalong the water supply pipe through the security wall water supply pipeopening to the water supply pipe proximal portion, tightening thepartially clasped or clamped closed loop until the partially ratchetedclosed loop has a an inner circumference approximately equal to an outercircumference of the water supply pipe, and feeding the system couplingmechanism elongated portion back through the security wall water supplypipe opening; and disposing the security flange over the water supplypipe and feeding the system coupling mechanism through the securityflange coupling mechanism until the security flange bottom surface isflush with the security wall outer surface and held in compressionagainst the security wall.
 5. The method for securing the water supplypipe of claim 4 wherein the step of disposing the security flange overthe water supply pipe and feeding the system coupling mechanism throughthe security flange coupling mechanism further comprises ratcheting theelongated portion through the security flange coupling mechanism totighten the security flange against the security wall.
 6. The method forsecuring the water supply pipe of claim 5 further comprising the step ofapplying caulk or adhesive along a perimeter of the security flange andthe security wall outer surface or applying caulk or adhesive along thesecurity flange water supply pipe opening and water supply pipe.
 7. Themethod for securing the water supply pipe of claim 4 wherein the step ofdisposing the security flange over the water supply pipe and feeding thesystem coupling mechanism through the security flange coupling mechanismfurther comprises clasping or clamping the elongated portion through thesecurity flange coupling mechanism to tighten the security flangeagainst the security wall.
 8. The method for securing the water supplypipe of claim 4 further comprising the step of applying caulk oradhesive along a perimeter of the security flange and the security wallouter surface or applying caulk or adhesive along the security flangewater supply pipe opening and water supply pipe.
 9. A system forsecuring a water supply pipe comprising: a security wall having an innersurface, an outer surface and a water supply pipe opening; the watersupply pipe traversing through the security wall water supply pipeopening, the water supply pipe having a proximal portion projecting awayfrom the security wall inner surface and a distal portion projectingaway from the security wall outer surface; a security flangeconcentrically disposed around the distal portion of the water supplypipe and abutting against the security wall outer surface, the securityflange comprising a security flange water supply pipe opening, asecurity flange bottom surface, a top security flange surface, and asecurity flange coupling mechanism having a security flange claspembedded into the security flange top surface or security flange bottomsurface; a system coupling mechanism configured to couple the securityflange through the water supply pipe opening to the water supply pipe,the coupling mechanism further configured to hold the security flange incompression against the security wall outer surface and hold the watersupply pipe in tension, the system coupling mechanism comprising asystem coupling mechanism proximal end having a system couplingmechanism clasp and a system coupling mechanism elongated portion; andwherein the system coupling mechanism is secured around the water supplypipe proximal portion by inserting the system coupling mechanismelongated portion through the system mechanism clasp or clamp and thesystem coupling mechanism is secured to the security flange by insertingthe elongated portion through the security flange clasp or clamp. 10.The system of claim 9 further comprising: caulk or adhesive along aperimeter of the security flange bottom surface and the security wallouter surface; or caulk or adhesive along the security flange watersupply pipe opening and water supply pipe; or a compressible sealdisposed on the security flange bottom surface.